The Smiling Pig: Serving Up ‘Tex-Czech’ Barbecue in Bailey

Sitting at the foot of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, at the crossroads of Highway 285 and County Road 68, owner Tim Gregg is leveling up from The Smiling Pig food truck to a fully-fledged restaurant at 1 Co Rd 68 in Bailey.
The Smiling Pig owner Tim Gregg outside of his food truck in Bailey.
Photo courtesy of The Smiling Pig.

Denver area ski resort commuters and food lovers will have the opportunity to treat themselves to some of the state’s best brisket and barbecue. Sitting at the foot of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, at the crossroads of Highway 285 and County Road 68, owner Tim Gregg is leveling up from The Smiling Pig food truck to a fully-fledged restaurant at 1 Co Rd 68 in Bailey.

Sign up now to get our Daily Breaking News Alerts

Opt out at anytime

The new sit-down eatery resulted from a collision of serendipity and opportunity. After earning a loyal following at his food truck, serving up mouth-watering barbecue, a new location presented itself. Now Denverites will have a chance to enjoy “Tex-Czech” food seven days a week, from . “Tex-Czech” is a term coined by Gregg’s wife, Sherry, to describe the Eastern European influence that brought slow-roasted meat to Central Texas.

“A lot of our barbecue came from these immigrants,” Gregg said in a conversation with What Now Denver. “They had to figure out a way to store and cook tough cuts of meat. They slow-cooked it and made it tender. Weekends, field workers would get some barbecue and eat it with saltine crackers.”

As opposed to salty bits, Gregg brought in semi-retired and world-renowned chef John du Toit to level-up The Smiling Pig’s menu. The classically French-trained cook “adds a lot of flair” to the restaurant’s comfort food offerings. Garlic mashed potatoes and German coleslaw will complement traditional barbecue sides like fried okra, baked beans, and potato salad. Of course, it’ll be the meats that will bring many people in, according to Gregg.

“Several people have told me that my brisket is the best they’ve had in Colorado,” Gregg said.

Located about 45 miles southwest of downtown Denver, The Smiling Pig will spread out over 2,400 square feet, holding about 140 seats of inside and outside dining. The semi-enclosed outdoor space will be warmed by outdoor heaters.

After an early-December soft opening, Gregg aims to fully open The Smiling Pig by mid- to late-December.

Matthew Denis

Matthew Denis

Matthew D. Denis is a Bend, Oregon-based freelance reporter with a predilection for existential expression. Be it art, backcountry exploration, overland road rallies, or Zimbabwean beats, Matt is there to describe the culture and expression that defines our humanity. You can find his work in ArtNews, The Register-Guard, The Manual, U.S. News & World Report, and more. When Matt's not typing on keys, he'll likely be exploring books, creative writing, or endless Western wilds.
Matthew Denis

Matthew Denis

Matthew D. Denis is a Bend, Oregon-based freelance reporter with a predilection for existential expression. Be it art, backcountry exploration, overland road rallies, or Zimbabwean beats, Matt is there to describe the culture and expression that defines our humanity. You can find his work in ArtNews, The Register-Guard, The Manual, U.S. News & World Report, and more. When Matt's not typing on keys, he'll likely be exploring books, creative writing, or endless Western wilds.

Pin It on Pinterest

Search